The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially clarified that there is no visa ban on Pakistani nationals, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) informed the National Assembly in a letter, local media reported on Thursday.
Responding to a query from lawmaker Dr. Nafisa Shah, the ministry stated that the UAE Embassy in Islamabad had provided an official response on the matter. According to the embassy, the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has introduced a new five-year visa policy with additional requirements, rather than imposing a ban.
Under the updated policy, visa applicants must submit a set of documents, including round-trip tickets, hotel reservations, proof of property ownership (if applicable), and a refundable deposit of 3,000 Emirati dirhams (AED). The UAE government has emphasized that these measures are designed to enhance the visa application process and prevent misuse of the system.
While no formal visa restrictions exist, the ministry acknowledged that Pakistani applicants are facing increased scrutiny due to multiple factors. These include cases of individuals submitting fake degrees, fraudulent employment contracts, and incidents of visa overstays. Moreover, some Pakistani nationals have been linked to political and criminal activities, which have raised concerns among UAE authorities.
Additionally, UAE officials have pointed out that the misuse of social media by certain Pakistani individuals has contributed to stricter visa evaluations. Authorities in the UAE have become more vigilant in monitoring applicants to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.
To address these challenges, the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi has been actively engaging with UAE officials at ministerial and under-secretary levels. Senior representatives from MoFA’s Middle East Division have also been in close contact with the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to facilitate smoother visa processing for Pakistani nationals.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been issuing recommendation letters to the UAE Embassy in Islamabad to support genuine visa applicants. In response, Emirati officials have reiterated their position that there is no official visa restriction on Pakistani applicants and that the adjustments in policy aim to strengthen the integrity of the UAE’s visa system while ensuring transparency in the application process.
